High School Social-Emotional Counselor

ESCOLA GRADUADA; São Paulo; On-site; BRL 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Graded is seeking an experienced School Counselor to join its Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Counseling Team. The role supports student well-being using MTSS-based practices, collaborating with teachers and specialists, and promoting equity and inclusion across the Graded community.

Primary duties include universal and targeted SEL supports, staff training, crisis response, and coordination with external services when needed. Fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Master's in school counseling and a valid certification.
• Training and experience in child safeguarding practices.
• Fluent in English (written and verbal).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a student advocate for all students on their caseload.
• Lead divisionally and contribute to divisional SEL programs.
• Collaborate to develop school-wide behavior expectations with leadership.
• Lead student of concern processes with teams of teachers in SEL and behavior strategies.
• Participate in divisional SST processes.
• Provide teacher and staff training on SEL strategies and mental health awareness.
• Support conflict resolution and peer mediation initiatives.
• Organize wellness and resilience-building initiatives.
• Lead parent educational workshops on SEL and student mental health.
• Lead and assist curricula across MS Advisory, HS Mentoring, LS Guidance, and HS Seminar.
• Transition students during orientation and division changes; support families.
• Advise trip leaders on precautions for students of concern.
• Lead training for faculty and staff and deliver SEL lessons.
• Participate in Student Ambassador Program.

Skills

Fluent English

Education

Master's in school counseling

Child safeguarding training

School counseling certification or equivalent

Job description

Primary Purpose of the Position

Graded's Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Counseling Team integrates international and American best practices to support student well-being. Grounded in the standards set by the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the approach is proactive, data-informed, and culturally-responsive. This comprehensive SEL program promotes practices building emotional resilience, academic success, and personal growth. These practices and procedures are within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework and include confidentiality, consent, referrals, and collaboration with Graded teachers and specialists, and external specialists. Fostering equity and inclusion is a core component of the counseling program. Counselors provide support that is accessible and culturally responsive to all students, regardless of background or individual circumstances. They advocate for students facing systemic barriers within the Graded community and work to cultivate an inclusive school environment where every student has an opportunity to succeed.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Tier 1: Universal Supports:

• Serve as a student advocate for all students on their caseload;
• Lead divisionally and contribute to divisional social-emotional learning (SEL) programs;
• Collaborate to further develop school-wide behavior expectations with school leadership;
• Lead student of concern processes brainstorming strategies with teams of teachers that includes SEL, executive function, behaviors, and instructional strategies;
• Participate in divisional Student Support Team (SST) processes;
• Provide teacher and staff training on SEL strategies and mental health awareness;
• Support and/or leading conflict resolution and peer mediation;
• Organize and/or support wellness and resilience-building initiatives;
• Organize and lead parent educational workshops on SEL and student mental health;
• Lead, assist, and/or deliver MS Advisory, HS Mentoring, LS Guidance, and HS Seminar curricula that integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles;
• Transition students in and out of Graded and between school divisions. Meet with new students and families for orientation and transition support;
• Advise and communicate with trip leaders regarding precautions for students of concern prior to school trips;
• Lead and participate in CSG training for faculty and staff and deliver CSG lessons to students;
• Lead the Student Ambassador Program.

Tier 2: Targeted Supports:

• Provide time-limited individual or small-group interventions for students requiring additional social-emotional or behavioral support;
• Provide short-term individual and group counseling to address students' academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.

Tier 3: Intensive Supports:

• Collaborative work with external support services to promote student well-being;
• Develop and case manage individualised student support and plans, such as behavior plans and SEL accommodation plans;
• Co-case manage individual student plans with learning support and nursing when needed;
• Participate in the crisis management response team when needed;
• Participate in child safeguarding response teams;
• Receive, document, and report child safeguarding concerns.

Certifications and Education

• Master's in school counseling or equivalent and a valid certification (or the substantial equivalent);
• Training and experience in child safeguarding practices and processes;
• Fluent in English written and verbal communication.

Experience

• Minimum two years of experience serving as a school counselor.
• Experience in child safeguarding frameworks, systems, and protocols.
• Experience fostering a collaborative and supportive approach when working alongside teachers, parents, and administration.
• Experience leading the support of SEL issues through peer mediation, restorative practices, and targeted interventions.